Posts By: Håkan Björk

Total number of South Sudan refugees as of April 6th, 2018: 1,053,598 people.

See the film above. IAS is on ground – responding to the South Sudan refugee crisis – together with other sister agencies, and the challenge is huge since there isn’t sufficient funds to take care of this immense catastrophe.(Photo: Andreas Zetterlund – Edit: Håkan Björk)

The Boko Haram crisis in the Lake Chad basin has impacted hard on the Diffa region in south east Niger. Before the first attacks on Niger soil in February 2015 the region was already host to over 100,000 refugees from Nigeria. Over the subsequent 2 ½ years the region has remained under a state of emergency and has been subjected to over 200 armed offensives during which over 500 civilians have been killed, injured or abducted. As a result, some 248,000 people are currently displaced within the Diffa region, with significant humanitarian needs across all sectors.

IAS has been engaged in WASH activities in Diffa since April 2016 and has to date drilled 29 boreholes to supply clean water to both displaced and host populations. However, despite the efforts of IAS and other international and local actors, needs for a safe and accessible water supply remain high, with water points being severely overcrowded in many sites.

This is why IAS is pleased to announce the receipt of funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) (www.ec.europa.eu/echo) that will allow us to continue responding to the humanitarian needs in Diffa. The allocated funding of € 1,420,000 from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2019 will allow us to provide safe and accessible water to 30,000 beneficiaries through the construction of 20 machine-drilled boreholes equipped with solar-powered pumps, water towers and tap stands. These new water points will be accompanied by hygiene training for all beneficiaries.

IAS is pleased to partner with ECHO in saving the lives of the displaced and host populations in Diffa.

DISCLAIMER – This news and press release covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Three weeks ago I returned from visiting the Sanaag Region of Somaliland/Somalia, following up on IAS’ various interventions. It was initially very encouraging to see the sprouting grass and fresh shoots from the desert bushes – a positive contrast from my last visit to the region in April following some brief rains in the area. Driving through the wilderness, my colleagues lamented the fact that these places used to be populated by a lot of livestock (camels, goats, sheep), but now one could just spot a few clusters of animals here and there – effects of a devastating drought.

The communities of largely nomadic herders are devastated! Many seem to be in shock from the loss of unbelievably high numbers of their livestock. Some of the people I got a chance to talk to had migrated from the area at the peak of the drought to go east in Puntland in search for pasture for their livestock, but they were back in the area, telling the same story that everyone can tell – tremendous loss …

Going to the north-west of Garadag in the region, the brief smiles disappeared from our faces as we got into a part of the region that had not received any of the rains the other parts had seen. One could clearly see the desperation in talking to members of the community. If these rains fail again, this can be catastrophic.

As we continue to serve among the people of Sanaag, our hope is that there will be some turn around in the climatic conditions. We are thankful to various donors from Denmark, Germany, the USA, and Sweden who have enabled us to provide some of the most affected communities with food, water, and medical supplies for a health centre. As we continue to hope for the best for the people of Sanaag, we trust that others will join in the efforts to ensure that these precious people not only survive this devastating drought, but also recover to get back to self-sustaining communities.

Walking long distances to fetch water takes time and effort. The heavy responsibility usually falls upon women and girls which means that girls don’t have time to go to school. Walking long distances is also a safety issue because of the risk of assault.

Therefore, we are always striving to ensure shortest distance possible, for people to walk to the nearest waterpoint. Our goal is that a person should have to walk maximum 500 meters to fetch water. By doing this we create safety and also reduce exclusion!

10,242 PUPILS FROM 37 SCHOOLS

School feeding in Tharaka – KENYA

WHERE?
In Tharaka Nithi County, one of the semi-arid regions of Kenya, where the rains are erratic and unreliable making reliance on them untenable. Water levels continue to go down giving rise to water and food scarcity.

WHY?
With the prevailing drought and the looming hunger, mothers in Tharaka County, Kenya send their children to school on an empty stomach. How can a child make it through the day without anything to eat? A hungry child cannot play. A hungry child cannot learn. A hungry child cannot concentrate. Fatigued and weary, these children faint in schools; their immunity systems become weak and eventually drop out of schools.

HOW?
Plate for plate! – The project was introduced at the beginning of the year 2015.Today we are able to feed a total of 10,242 pupils from 37 different schools in Tharaka South. The project will expand in the coming years. Our partner – Linas Matkasse, with the recommendations of nutritionists, has planned a healthy and delicious lunch for the children going to school. This includes beans, corn, rice and onions. All the ingredients are purchased locally and then cooked by the school cook. It is a sight for sore eyes to see these children line up at lunch time, holding their plastic bowls and wearing a gigantic smile in anticipation of their meal.

SPONSOR A SCHOOL LUNCH!
Help a child concentrate, learn and enjoy the beauty of life by a simple act. Help dig out a bright future that these angels deserve!

“I had one hundred animals (sheep, goats and camels), but now I only have 20, and I do not know how long they will survive.” These were the words of Hawa Darmar in Tura Village, Garadag District of Sanaag Region, Somaliland.

The IAS Humanitarian Coordinator Milward Mwamvani was in the village for a fact-finding mission and monitoring of a drought-response intervention. After several meetings with stakeholders both in Nairobi and Hargeisa, this was an eye opener. For some time, IAS has been receiving updates on the drought situation in the areas where we have been actively engaging in various projects both in the past and presently.

The drought situation has become dire in the area, as reports also confirm the general situation in Somalia/Somaliland. The story of Hawa is just one of the many sad stories that are told in this area, and other areas affected by the drought. Hawa has been displaced by the drought as she tries to find means to survive the crisis.

Moursul Salaa Hamid is one of the people affected in Taygara village. Here is how our chat went on April 12, 2017:

Milwards Question: What is your livelihood here?

Moursal: I keep livestock.

Q: How many did you have?

Moursal: I had 690 animals (600 goats and sheep, and 90 camels)

Q: How many do you have now?

Moursal: I have 20 camels and 30 goats and sheep remaining

Q: How big is your family?

Moursal: There are eleven of us in my home.

Q: You have received 25kg of rice, 25kg wheat flour, 3 liters cooking oil and 10kg dates. How long do you think these will last?

Moursal: Maybe about 15 days.

Q: What will you do after that?

Moursal: We will wait for God to act.

This is a story that can be told by many. Talking to Huse Mire Ali, a Village Elder in Shiisha Village, he expressed that he has never seen anything like the present situation in his lifetime, with villagers suffering due to lack of food and water. He hoped that his people would get more help.

IAS seeks to continue responding in the Sanaag Region and other affected areas. A lot of money is needed to get enough food and water for the people and their animals to avert a worse disaster in the area. As water has been brought to the community in trucks, the signs are that the current water source is about to dry up. One of the drivers of the trucks explained that they were presently getting the water from a place about 120km away from this particular location. He also indicated that soon they may have to get the water as far as 170km. The rains are considered late already, and everyone is now panicking, not knowing what could happen beyond this… Will you partner with us and support us to respond to the crisis in Somalia/Somaliland?

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IAS is one of the Founding members of the CHS Alliance. The CHS Alliance leads and facilitates the development, promotion and maintenance of the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability CHS). The CHS sets out Nine Commitments that organisations and individuals involved in humanitarian response can use to improve the quality and effectiveness of the assistance they provide. More information can be found on www.chsalliance.org